This bill requires gas and electric utilities to accept and credit public assistance payments directly for residential customers. It specifically mandates that utilities treat payments from programs like the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) and emergency funding as full payment, regardless of a customer's account status. Utilities must use these payments to restore service or stop collections activity. The law directly affects low-income residential utility customers who receive public assistance and the utilities serving them. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.
This bill (A 10279) prohibits insurance companies from discriminating against policyholders based on marital status after the death of a spouse. It directly affects widowed individuals who purchase or maintain property, casualty, home, renter's, or auto insurance. The law bans insurers from refusing to continue coverage, canceling policies, limiting coverage, or charging higher premiums solely because a policyholder is widowed. The provision applies to all insurance types covered under the law and takes effect upon the bill's enactment.
Establishes the homeowner protection program; provides that the department of law shall establish the homeowner protection program to ensure the availability of free housing counseling and legal services to homeowners for the purposes of mitigating threats to homeownership; provides that the department of law shall provide grants to eligible not-for-profit housing counseling organizations and legal services organizations to provide services under the program.
Authorizes municipalities to establish an emergency repair pilot program; enables municipalities to repair immediately hazardous code violations in buildings where the owner has not undertaken such repairs in a reasonable time.
Requires out-of-state affordable housing owners to maintain an escrow account for the purpose of financing utility costs, property tax obligations, fire services, and regular maintenance costs for affordable housing rental units located in New York state.
Allows a real property tax exemption for dwelling units constructed for senior citizens or disabled persons receiving social security disability benefits.
Relates to artist preferences in housing; provides that giving occupancy preference to individuals who are involved in artistic activities is not an unlawful discriminatory practice provided that such preference is implemented or authorized by an agency or the state of New York.
This bill creates a real property tax exemption for the primary residences of surviving spouses of firefighters who died in the line of duty. It allows local governments and school districts to automatically exempt up to 50% of the assessed value of these homes from taxation, though they retain the option to reduce this percentage if they choose. The law defines eligible firefighters broadly to include paid members of various fire departments and extends the benefit to properties held in trust or by cooperative apartment corporations, while excluding certain types of housing. Additionally, the bill requires the state to develop and publish a list of documents that prove eligibility for this tax relief.
This bill creates a temporary task force within the Office of Mental Health to study how to help residents of community-based mental health housing programs age in place. The nine-member group will investigate barriers to care, propose policy changes to improve access to medical services, ensure housing compliance with disability laws, and develop training for staff. The task force must submit its findings and recommendations to the governor and legislature within twelve months, after which the bill and the group will automatically expire.
Relates to the reconnection of service for low-income customers; provides that upon the signing of a reconnection plan where a low-income customer shall pay no more than three percent of such customer's monthly income for electric or gas service or six percent of monthly income for combination electric and gas service plus such customer's current monthly bill, a utility shall reconnect such service.
